email this idea to a friend Export to pdf Export to doc

Name of Activity:

Skip to My Lou

Purpose of Activity:

To provide maximum participation and fun while teaching skipping.

Prerequisites:

To be able to perform the skills of hopping and walking.

Suggested Grade Level:

K-2

Materials Needed:

a cone for each student, music: "Skip To My Lou"

Description of Idea

Set up cones in pairs about 20 feet between: C----20ft-----C. Students stand by a cone and learn how to skip to the classic American song, "Skip To My Lou."

Describe skipping, using the cues "step-hop, step-hop." Let them know that this is a popular song in which one traditionally trades off partners and that they will be learning a variation of this song.

Without the music, ask students to skip in a straight line towards their partner, reciting “step-hop, step-hop" until they have reached their partner. When they are facing each other, tell them to “freeze.” Have students link arms and skip, turning clockwise in a circle. Let the students practice until they feel comfortable, and, thereafter, skip back in a straight line to their cone.

There are two parts to the song:
#1: On the words “Skip to My Lou”, the students will skip towards their partner.

#2: When the students reach their partner, they will hear: “Flies in the buttermilk, cows in the corn, little red wagon," etc. During these parts, link arms and turn in a clockwise circle. (option: walk or skip)

Before the students begin the activity, teach them the customary practice in folk dancing to acknowledge their partner by bowing (for boys) or performing a curtsey (for girls).

Assessment Ideas:

Ask the questions,
* What cues did we learn for skipping today? (step-hop, step-hop)
* What was the most difficult part of the day’s lesson?
* Did anyone discover that when the music got faster, they moved faster? Why do you think that is? (Rhythm)

Adaptations for Students with Disabilities

Learning and physical disabilities can be incorporated by walking instead of skipping.

Submitted by Ashley Regalado who teaches at CSUS in Sacramento, CA. Thanks for contributing to PE Central! Posted on PEC: 5/30/2010.
Viewed 121768 times since 5/14/2010.

| More

Skip to My Lou

Post a Comment:

Let others know how this idea went when you implemented/tried it with your kids. Include any variations, suggested teaching tips, positive comments, etc. so others can benefit from your tips. Please be helpful and positive with all comments. Look below to see all posted comments.

 

Name:
Comments:
 

Previous Comments:

Joannie

These dance is really good and appropriate for K5 to 1st grade to start with. Thank You God Bless

Dave Olszewski

Simple and developmentally appropriate. Great lesson.

kelly

these dances r really fisicle i was pumped up. i'm pretty sure i lost 1 pound



Search for lesson ideas